Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam urged his pace spearheads to provide early breakthroughs to keep Australia to a low score in the third one-day international here on Monday.

The pace trio of Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul and Rao Iftikhar have managed just two wickets between them in the first two matches - both by Gul - allowing the Australians to win the second match in Dubai by six wickets on Friday.

The five-match series stands at 1-1 after Pakistan won the first match by four wickets, also in Dubai, on Wednesday.

Alam said it was important to get early wickets.

"We had just 207 on the board so it was important to get early wickets but we got just one and not more," Alam said of Pakistan's modest total which Australia passed for a loss of just four wickets.

Injury-plagued Akhtar, who has just one wicket to show for his last four one-dayers, played both games despite suffering from a viral infection but may be rested on Monday for all-rounders Sohail Tanvir or Yasir Arfat to come in.

Alam said Australia were a professional side and would continue to press hard for victories.

"We batted poorly in both the matches and must learn from our mistakes quickly because, if we don't, Australia, being a very professional team, would continue to pose problems and run away with victory," said Alam.

Alam praised his spinners and singled out leg-spinner Shahid Afridi, who took a career-best 6-38 in the first match, for his excellent bowling.

"Afridi is one player whose abilities have not been properly utilised. He has extraordinary talent and we want him to bowl like the way he bowled on Wednesday," said Alam.

Afridi returned figures of 2-38 in the second match, completing his 250 one-day wickets in 273 matches.

Before Pakistan came for practice they learnt that their off-spinner Saeed Ajmal had been reported for an illegal bowling action.

Alam said the decision was a shock.

"Ajmal has played against four countries and suddenly we got the news that his action has been reported. It's disappointing," said Alam, adding that Ajmal will be played in the remaining matches.

Australian captain Michael Clarke said he looked forward to playing in Abu Dhabi.

"We have not played in Abu Dhabi before, so the team looks forward to playing there and continuing with the winning ways, as we always want to win a game whatever form we are playing in," said Clarke.

Clarke, standing in for regular captain Ricky Ponting - rested for this series along with Michael Hussey and Mitchel Johnson - singled out fielding as the weak area.

"We were sloppy in the field on Friday, so we must improve on that in the coming matches," said Clarke.

Later, Australian coach Tim Nielsen announced pacemen Ben Hilfenhaus and Stuart Clark will come in for Ben Laughlin and Doug Bollinger, who played in the second match.

The remaining two matches will be played here on May 1 and 3. The only Twenty20 international is scheduled for Dubai on May 7.